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- [00:00]
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- [00:30]
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- [00:48]
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- [01:07]
Podcast Host
Hey everybody. Welcome back to the Findout Podcast. We have a special episode today because we are joined by the Democratic leader in the House. Hakeem Jeffries is with us. Leader Jeffries, it's so great to have you on the Findout podcast.
- [01:20]
Hakeem Jeffries
Great to be with you both.
- [01:22]
Podcast Host
Yeah. So tomorrow there is a very important vote on the war Powers resolution. We just saw, I think in the Senate that there was a failure to pass that. What is your expectation tomorrow? Do dem. Are there enough Republicans to bring along with the Democrats to to finally put an end to this illegal war? Or what do you think is going to happen tomorrow?
- [01:42]
Hakeem Jeffries
It's going to be very close. We're working as hard as we can to just get a handful of additional Republicans. We know we have two. If we can secure two more, then we'll be able to pass this war powers resolution on our side to take the step necessary to end this reckless and costly war of choice in the Middle East. The nerve of Donald Trump. It's incredible to me that they're spending billions of dollars to drop bombs in the Middle East. More than a dozen lives have already been lost. Brave American heroes. Hundreds of our servicemen and women have been seriously injured. Gas prices are through the roof. And Donald Trump has failed to make a compelling case at all to the American people as to why we're even in this thing to begin with. What are the goals? What are the objectives and clearly, he has no exit strategy. So we've been working as hard as we can this week to make sure that we have the best possible chance tomorrow to get this resolution done and over the finish line so we can put the pressure on the Senate to then do the right thing. We'll see how it goes. But we're in this fight until we win this fight and in this failed, reckless, costly war of choice.
- [03:04]
Podcast Host
Yeah. And I think we have seen that the estimates now are somewhere in the neighborhood of, on top of the horrible loss of life, somewhere in the neighborhood of $100 billion have been spent on this war so far, and none, no Americans seem to understand what we're doing there. So from what you have seen, do you have any hope, like, we're going to talk about more about what happens if the resolution doesn't pass? Do you have any hope that a deal will actually be made to stop this war? Or is it really reliant on Congress, which really has the war powers in their authority to stop this once and for all?
- [03:38]
Hakeem Jeffries
I think it's incredibly important for Congress to act because we have the definitive authority to stop this reckless war of choice that Donald Trump never bothered to explain to the American people or make a compelling case as to why we are even in this thing. And remember, this is the president who promised on the night of his election in November that he's not going to start wars, he's going to stop them. And then he turned around and did the exact opposite. Now, in terms of these negotiations, so called negotiations, we're not negotiating from a position of strength. The problem is military strength can never be enough. We've seen this in Afghanistan, in Iraq, prior to that, in Vietnam, in Libya as well. Military strength alone is not sufficient to change regimes. And Iran, some have argued, may even be in a stronger position now than they were in prior to us entering into this reckless war of choice because they have control of the Strait of Hormuz. And as a result, no pain is being inflicted on the American people and on people all across the free world because gas prices are through the roof.
- [04:54]
Podcast Host
Yeah, I mean, I think it's wild to see, like, these points in this deal that we have seen so far is actually seems like it's worse than where we started. And the fact that he's allowing the Iranians to charge, I think it's a million dollars per ship. It's very clear that, like, they have no incentive to stop this war. So if the War Powers Resolution fails tomorrow, leader, what is the next step in order to ramp up the pressure on the Republicans. You know, we've got the two, which is great, but how do we peel off some more? Because this is an incredibly unpopular war. Nobody actually wants this. So how do we pressure them to make sure that they do the right thing here and stop this once and for all?
- [05:32]
Hakeem Jeffries
Yeah, this has been a challenge throughout Donald Trump's presidency, both the first time around and certainly it's gotten worse this time around, which is that Republicans in the House and the Senate don't act like they're part of a separate and co equal branch of government, which they are. We don't work for Donald Trump, we don't work for J.D. vance, we don't work for their billionaire donors. We work for the American people. But the problem is these House Republicans continue to conduct themselves like nothing more than reckless rubber stamps for Donald Trump's extreme agenda. They just go along to get along. It's a cult like situation. It's extraordinary. And notwithstanding how deeply unpopular this war is, not just with Democrats or independents, but increasingly with Republicans, which is why you see this break now between many of the so called MAGA influencers and Donald Trump around this reckless and costly war of choice. So I've got to believe that as long as we keep the pressure on them and we'll have the ability to continue to force votes on these war powers resolutions to end this, that we can find at least two more Republicans with the courage to do the right thing on behalf of the American people. So we're not gonna stop. The other leverage point for the American people in terms of pressure that can be put on Republicans by their constituents to do the right thing is going to relate to when the administration eventually comes up to Capitol Hill and asks for north of $100 billion, it appears to fund their reckless war of choice, by the way, from the same group of people who won't spend a dime to make health care affordable.
- [07:21]
Podcast Host
Right.
- [07:22]
Hakeem Jeffries
Or a lower grocery costs, or to ensure that everyday Americans can actually afford to live in their communities as opposed to being gentrified out of existence.
- [07:32]
Podcast Co-Host
The thing I keep coming back to is elections have consequences, right? People keep saying Democrat. What are the Democrats doing to stop Trump? What are they? The last election cycle robbed us of almost every lever we have. However, as we've seen with retirements in the House, as we've seen with them running from the, from town halls and stopping taking town halls, we do have power exactly as you're describing by putting pressure through public levers. But that, and that can only go so Far, I think we're doing a good job right now of holding Trump accountable for the war of choice. And I think that as his 200 billion request for additional funds in Iran comes out, his $1.5 trillion request for the Pentagon. These are things that people look at that and then they look at Medicaid cuts and they look at the cost of gas and they go, what exactly are we paying for and what's in it for us? My question is, we know that we are going to gain momentum between now and November. We know we're going to gain momentum between now and January. I think a lot of people, especially on the left, were so cynical, we're so jaded. What can we possibly do before Trump is out of office? I think that's what I want to ask you. If there's an opportunity, whether you're speaker of the House or whether you're a leader in Congress and we have a big majority, what meaningful things change at that point? What can we actually do to force change instead of try to manipulate and coerce change?
- [08:58]
Hakeem Jeffries
Yeah, it's a great question. One, when we take back control of the House, we can cut Donald Trump's legislative presidency in half. Out of the gate, no bed. Things can happen anymore legislatively. And that's important because the one big ugly bill narrowly passed the House and the Senate became law, ripped away health care from 14 million Americans, largest cut to Medicaid in American history. At the same period of time in that same bill that Republicans are on the House floor celebrating today, in that same bill, they enacted $186 billion cut to SNAP a disaster, literally ripped food from the mouths of hungry children, seniors and veterans. They gave their billionaire donors a massive tax break in that bill and ice a $75 billion plus fund. So when we take back control of the House, one, we're going to have to reverse a lot of the damage that has been done. And we can start by working as hard as we can to reverse the Medicaid cuts, to extend the Affordable Care act tax credits so that we can actually keep health care affordable for more than 20 million Americans directly and millions more indirectly who receive their health care from their employer, who are also seeing dramatic increases in health insurance. We're going to have a very proactive agenda as it relates to building housing that the American people can afford. As part of our effort to address the affordability crisis that exists, Congress is going to reassert its power under a Democratic majority to stop the Trump tariffs, which we know have cost everyday Americans thousands of dollars per year. And of course, we have to reassert our authority on matters of war and peace and make sure that the country never again finds itself in this type of reckless war of choice that hasn't made us safer, has compromised our national security interests and has increased costs on the American people. Beyond that, I do think it's going to be important. Now, we won't have the presidency, we'll have the House and hopefully the Senate. But we have to lay a framework for doing bold, transformative and meaningful things, such as fixing our broken health care system, making life more affordable in a way where if everyday Americans are working hard and playing by the rules, they can live a comfortable life and have access to a good paying job, good housing, good health care, good education for their children. And of course, when it's all said and done, a good retirement, which means making sure that we both protect, but also strengthen Social Security and we have legislation to do just that.
- [11:49]
Podcast Host
So, so leader to follow up on that because a lot of what we hear from people is like, you know, what are the Democrats plans? Or that they are maybe worried that some people are just looking to go back to the status quo from 24, for example. Can you assure the American people and Democratic voters and independent voters and some Republicans that that is not the case, that we're actually looking to, to have a much better future with stronger, stronger ways for people like you said, to earn a living wage, health care, all of those things. So if I could just get you on record as saying we are not going back to the way we were, we're going back, we're moving forward to a better future.
- [12:29]
Hakeem Jeffries
Yeah. We recognize definitively, as you've indicated, the status quo is broken. In fact, Donald Trump exploited the fact beginning 10 years ago that the status quo was broken, made all of these promises that he was going to change things, and of course has done the exact opposite. He's doubled and tripled down on policies designed to subsidize the lifestyles of the rich and shameless, his billionaire donors. The guy is in the middle of the largest pay to play scheme in the history of the country. And it's all about enriching himself, his family, his friends and his donors. So we've got to eradicate all of that. But we can't simply return to business as usual here in Washington, D.C. because things are broken in the country. And there are far too many people who that American dream that has always been sort of the ideal to reach for is out of reach and understandably not cynically. Understandably, have concluded that's gone, and we have to restore that. That's been a main ingredient of what the American journey has been all about. That every generation should have the ability to go beyond the generation that preceded them, to go purchase a home, to be able to raise a family, to educate your children in ways that will give them a better opportunity to thrive. Not simply survive, thrive. And the status quo. Right now, far too many people can barely survive, and that's unacceptable in the country.
- [14:18]
Podcast Host
You know, things look good for Democrats right now. Obviously, Donald Trump's approval ratings are sitting in some of the lowest recorded by a president. So let's say that Democrats take over the House and the Senate. But I want to talk about you coming in as potentially the next speaker of the House. Can you commit to us today that you will never post a photo of yourself depicting yourself as Jesus on social media once you get into that position?
- [14:46]
Hakeem Jeffries
Incredibly important question. I can absolutely commit to the two of you and all of your many listeners and viewers. Under no circumstances will I ever engage in that sort of blasphemy. It's incredible. By the way, prior to that, he issues a deranged Easter Sunday message, by far the most egregious Easter Sunday message ever issued by any American president or perhaps any leader in the Christian world in the history of time. And then he follows that up by going after the Pope, who's from the south side. American Pope. Right. And American. It's extraordinary. Even Donald Trump's ally friend, the Prime Minister of Italy, is distancing herself from this guy at this point based on his blasphemous behavior. So I absolutely commit to that. And it's just an example, again, of Donald Trump. He weaponized faith and religion. He's a phony.
- [15:57]
Podcast Co-Host
Yeah.
- [15:57]
Hakeem Jeffries
This is the same guy who doesn't even know how to accurately quote scripture. He said 2 Corinthians, not 2nd Corinthians. I mean, if you're gonna sell a Bible, bro, you should know the Bible. Yeah. So it's an extraordinary thing. And listen, in all seriousness, I do think it's a moment as we close for us as Democrats, many of whom have been raised in a variety of different faith traditions. But faith being important to us, whether that's the Christian faith, the Jewish faith, the Muslim faith, the Hindu faith, here in the House Democratic Caucus, we have. We have believers of every single one of those faiths and others who are secular. But it is an opportunity for us to kind of lean into our values as authentic to who we are, and as part of what helps drive us to our fight, to wanting to make life better for every single American.
- [17:01]
Podcast Host
Yeah, well said. And I thought you were going to answer that the way that you answered it, so I appreciate that. I don't think that Donald Trump's ever opened a Bible and his life other than maybe to sign the ones he's selling to people. But with that, with that. Leader Jeffries, thank you very much for coming on. We know you're very busy. I do have to say, you know, your answer on the, on the, the Jesus question made me feel better because I am a Celtics fan and I heard that you are a Knicks fan. So it's good to see that Celtics and Knicks fans can even come together to make this country a better place. So do you have any la, any predictions on where the, where the Knicks are going to finish this year? Cause I know the playoffs are coming up pretty soon. You got, you got high hopes for them.
- [17:42]
Hakeem Jeffries
I, listen, I'm, I'm a long suffering Knicks fan, but the last couple of years have been great. We are a little concerned about the resurgence, unexpected resurgence this year of the Celtics. It's a great rivalry, I think when the Celtics are good and obviously the Celtics are great right now. When the Knicks are very good as we are right now heading toward great, hopefully it's a good thing for the NBA. So I'm excited. Hopefully they'll make a run to the finals. But you know, we're a little anxious about, about, about the roadblock that the Celtics might present.
- [18:16]
Podcast Host
Well, I tell you what, maybe someday we'll catch a game together. I'll wear, I'll come to, I'll go down, down to the city and be the Celtics guy. Then you guys can all rain your booze down on me while we play. But with that later. Thank you very much. We appreciate you taking the time to be with us and hopefully we have some more time. We'll have you back as we get closer to the elections and see how things are going.
- [18:37]
Hakeem Jeffries
Look forward to it. Thank you.
- [18:38]
Commercial Narrator
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